Omer discusses hosting concert in the summer

OMER –– The Omer City Council had no objections at its meeting Dec. 27 to hosting a free concert in the city this summer as part of the Standish Summer Concert Series.

Mayor Alice Sproule said Omer could host the concert Aug. 16 near the Little Eagle’s Nest Library and city hall complex.

She said the concert series is put together by the US-23 Arenac County Heritage Route Authority. Last year, the series consisted of 13 concerts, all held at the Standish Historical Depot on Thursday evenings from June 9 through Sept. 1.

With 13 shows in 2011, Sproule said the depot was overbooked and sponsors were stretched. She said a local business owner suggested holding concerts in other municipalities.

“Right now they are planning eight concerts in Standish,” Sproule said. “The ninth one would be in Omer with the council’s permission, and the tenth one would be in AuGres.”

The Omer City Limits Band was brought up by Sproule as a fitting group to play in the city if possible. She said the open space and playground near the library would be an excellent location to hold the concert.

“We have the perfect place with the library right here,” she said. “Standish doesn’t have any area around their library.”

“So it’s kind of like the (concerts) they’re doing now over at the Depot,” asked Councilman Larry Daly. Sproule agreed, adding the city would probably use a large tent in lieu of the depot and its gazebo.

She said people could set up lawn chairs on the grass to view the concert, and suggested the local Girl Scouts could sell popcorn or water.

Daly proposed that members of the Arenac County Historical Society could sell refreshments at the Ye Olde Courthouse to help pay off the mortgage on the property as well.